PRESIDENT Joji Konrote challenged private sector and Government senior executives to lead the fight against NCDs by instilling healthy eating and lifestyle practice s within their organisations.
He made the comment while addressing participants at the 2018 Fiji Business Excellence Awards in Nadi on Saturday night.
“I wish to raise the issue of Non-Communicable Diseases with you – as it, like climate change, is a plague on both our quality of life and our productivity – and to invite you all to join me in taking bold action to reduce NCDs,” he said.
“NCDs currently account for over 80 per cent of deaths of Fijians under the age of 70 years.
“You will agree with me that this is our most productive age group.
“However, our people are dying young from NCD-related illnesses.
“As Fiji’s lead advocate and champion in the national campaign to reduce NCDs, I encourage you to join me by eating healthy foods and exercising daily.
“I have every confidence that a healthy population will have a direct bearing on our overall productivity.”
*More on the awards in tomorrow’s The Fiji Times and on our e-edition.
